A spokesperson for Scottish Rugby said: “Our chief executive Alex Williamson is currently on a period of extended leave, during which time his duties are being shared by the executive team.”
At this stage, it is unclear what has prompted the move but it comes 16 months after Williamson took up the role.
Williamson, who previously worked for The Goodwood Group and House of Fraser prior to joining Scottish Rugby, took over at Murrayfield in January 2025.
His appointment followed a lengthy recruitment process after the departure of long-serving CEO Mark Dodson the previous January after more than 12 years at the helm.
Upon his appointment, Williamson outlined an ambitious plan for Scottish Rugby to become the “leading” union in world rugby.
He has also signed off on new contracts for Scotland boss Gregor Townsend and the coaches of Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors, Sean Everitt and Franco Smith.
In the year between Dodson’s departure and Williamson taking up the chief executive post, much of the responsibility for the running of Sottish Rugby fell to chairman John McGuigan.
He is likely to again be at the forefront of the organisation during Williamson’s absence.